Paris Roissy CDG - Antananarivo

• Flight to Antananarivo, dinner on board, arrival during the night at the Ivato Antananarivo airport. Program developed with Air Madagascar for international flights.

Antananarivo - Manandona

• The peasant association which works for the development of the rural environment through the tourism to Manandona Andranovelona shelters us in a family member of the association. Immersion and culture exchange are the keywords of our journey.

  
  Here, we share the daily life of the villagers and can participate in their activities: briqueterie, transplanting or harvest of rice according to the season, afforestation … Alongside a guide trained by the association, we will do a ballade in the valley of Manandona to the waterfall of Amboponana which invites us to swim. The strongest will be able to hike in the medium mountain at the foot of the Ibity mountain or a trekking for the most adventurous to the top of the Ibity where the view is breathtaking.

  
  In the early evening, you will attend a truly memorable typical animation. Around a campfire, villagers gather alongside traditional musicians to sing and dance. It is their way of showing their joy and gratitude to the travelers who come to visit them. The Malagasy spirit: the fihavanana wants us to be united in joy as in sadness, hence the presence of the village neighbors at this folklore evening. One thing sure: It will offer you a bold moment.

Manandona - Ambositra

Ambositra - Fianarantsoa

Fianarantsoa - Manakara

Manakara - Mananjary

Mananjary - Ambodirafia

• After breakfast, departure for the river cruise on the Canal des Canal des Pangalanes.
  The Canal spreads along the east coast of Madagascar between Farafangana to the south and Foulpointe to the north. This 665 km long river route is much safer than the very tumultuous Indian Ocean. On this aquatic boulevard, we cross barges, "bush ships" (river bush taxi), canoes and rafts carrying local products ranging to the nearest towns, including bananas and other seasonal fruits, cassava, fish, leaves Of ravinala dried for the roofs of the huts … The spontaneous greetings, the cries of joy of the children on the banks accompany us throughout our navigation. We are spectators of unusual and unforgettable life scenes.

Ambodirafia - Asohihy

• Second day over water. A dense vegetation borders the canal: bamboo forests, palm trees, ferns, pandanus, raphia, elephant ears, allamanda, aquatic plants, comet (rare orchid species).
  May be, we will disturb some dendrocygnes, kingfishers, parakeets or other green-backed herons. Small stop for the visit of the Nosy Varika village. At the pleasure of navigation, encounter with the ""bush ships"" and the canoe ballet. Picnic lunch on board.
  Strolling along the Canal, we reach Masomeloka then Asohihy at the end of the day.

Asohihy - Mahanoro

• After breakfast, boarding the boat and then progress to Ampanalana by a small canal.
  The fishing canoes cross us in this green network of lakes and lagoons that form the Canal.
  The passage of the mouth of the Mangoro River, several kilometers wide, is one of the highlights of our day's stage.
  After the wonderful encounters and the magnificent discoveries, we will arrive at the end of our navigation, in the middle of the afternoon.
  Installation in our bungalows.

Mahanoro - Tamatave

Tamatave - Mahambo

Mahambo - Sainte Marie

Sainte Marie - Antananarivo

• The Malagasy capital is filled with arts, crafts and cultural gems. This is where are gathered the best artists and craftsmen of the country, in various fields of ironwork, leather-craft, marquetry, basketry, and so many more.

  
  A few examples of places to see are the iron workshop of Violette and Dieudonné, the leather-craft workshop Izaho working with zebu leather, and the various crafts galleries of the capital. The Is'Art Gallery is also a highlight among the cultural places of Antananarivo, which offers weekly free concerts, exhibitions, workshops, bar and fresh food, as well as a crafts boutique.

  
  We can also take a tour of the highlights of the city with our driver-guide. The Upper town of Antananarivo is about to the registered as part of the UNESCO World Heritage. We climb towards the Queen's Palace, on top of the Analamanga hill (former name of the city), from which the 360° panoramic view is stunning. Then, we will successively cross the Andohalo Square, former headquarter of the merina aristocracy where Kings and Queens used to give speeches and talk with the people about the government decisions.

• Flight back to Europe. The Détours Madagascar team takes you back to the airport, and wishes you farewell…

  See you soon !